davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Self MutilntiOn of Animals.

An article in recent number OF La Nature
discusses at length the power possessed by
crabs and some other animals Of casting off n
| limb when roughly injured or irritated. This
description is accompanied by an illustration
which we reproduce, showing how this act,
for which the name "autotomy" is suggested,
may be of use in allowing the animal to
escape from its enemies
| NJ. Parize tried the experiment Of placing
common crab near large octopus, which
| Is found upon the coasts of Brittany and
lives largely upon these crustacea. The oc-
topus seized the crab by claw with one Of
his tentacles, but as soon as the crab felt the
pressure he quietly abandoned the unfortun-
ate member and hurried away to u safer
locality, and, if crabs have any sense Of hui
NOR, doubtless laughing at the disappont-
ment Of the octopus, who was defrauded OF
his dinner ina such an unfair manner. For
tunately the crab suffers little inconvenience
from his self mutilation. In a short time a
new limb is reproduced, fully equal to the old
one, and ready to he abandoned in its turn il
occasion requires HOLSTERS and some other
crustacea possess the same faculty, both OF
self Acknowledgement and reproduction OF lost
limbs Certain spiders, on the contrary, al
though they can cast Off their legs il neces-
sary, never recover them, but remain par
TALLY crippled for the remainder OF their
lives.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Promiscuous correspondence.

A habit common with thoughtless young
ladies, who do great many things quietly
which they would not like to have known at
home, is that Of promiscuous correspondence
with gentlemen. In strongly condemning
this habit Harper's Bazaar is credited with
affirming that these young letter writers gen.
orally get fit reward for their thoughtess-
ness or their culpability. If their correspond
ent is q man Of systematic habits their letters
are docketed and ticketed, and his clerks
have ns much Of q laugh over them as they
wish. II he is not systematic, then those let
ters are at the mercy Of any and every one.
II their correspondent is married man, then
his possession o: their letters, even Of the
most trivial kind, places the writers at dis
advantage. Sooner or later the letters fall
into the hands of his wife, who holds the
writer not only in contempt, but in her
power. No young girl can be sure that her
correspondent is not merely amusing himself
with her; and it is often the case that her let
ters are unwelcome, and he does not check
them and does reply to them merely from
manly chivalry. When the writer has recov-
cred from her folly or forgotten her ideness,
there is the letter ready TO rise like an awful
betraying ghost. Her motive may have been
all innocence at the time, but it is left forever
under doubt.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15

A consumptive is reported as having cured
himself by plan of his own. He established
himself at farm house in the mountain re-
gions of Virginia, bought horse and spent
the whole day in the open dir, taking care of
the animal himself and riding about, at first
only few minutes at time Every day he
grew stronger. He attributed his recovery
to the fact that he not only rode, but groomed
his horse and busted himself an hour or two
in the stable every day. His opinion supports
that of an old time doctor who declared that
"a horse barn is one Of the healthiest places In
the world y
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15

Those who wish to make themselves as
comfortable as possible while travelling in q
sleeper will do well TO note the following ad-
vice from Medical and Surgical Record: For
men light cap, one that will cover over the
ears, 90 as to serve as n nightcap, will DO
desirable In cold weather wooden cap is
best. This cap should be put on as soon as
the car Is entered. A loose blouse should take
the place Of the coat usually worn. Slippers
must not be worn. II there is a draught in
the car face it, do not let it strike the back.
Have the bed made with its head toward the
engine; the dust will then be driven TO the
foot, where it will do the least HARM But be
sure to have a sufficient quantity Of bedclothes
to keep warm. A soft, loose knit wooden
hood is the best headwear for women; this
should be worn at night also. 1t should be
warmer in winter than in summer months.
The corsets should be removed at night and a
loose wooden wrapper worn for a nightdress.
The stocking supporters, as well as every
constructing band around the waist, should
he lOOsened
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE.
Manners and Customs Practiced In Po-
lite Society.

Manners and Customs Practiced In Po-
lite Society.
The manners Of artificial society have this
10 commend Them in the opinion Of such au-
thority on manners and social usages as Mrs.
Sherwood: they mediate the greatest good to
the greatest number.
Good manners are to special societies what
good morals are to society in general-their
cement and their security. True politeness
creates perfect ease and freedom; it and its
essence is to treat Others as you would have
others treat you. For example, rs you know
how embarrassing embarrassment is to every
body else, true courtesy requires you TO strive
not to be embarrassed.
A man who is constrained, uneasy and I'M
graceful can spoil the happiness of dozen
people Therefore he is bound to create an
artificial manner if a natural one does not
come to him, remembering that "manners
are Swallowed by virtues"
"The happy people who are born uncon-
scious of their bodies, who grow through life
more and more graceful, easy, cordial and
agreeable; the happy few who were never
bashful, never nervous, never had clammy
hands," need not an artificial code Of man
ners; it is for the numerous well meaning,
but shy or awkward, people that artificial
manners are most useful.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15

Irregular teeth are so disagreeable in APP
pearance as to totally ruin what might other
wise be a handsome countenance. They may
be caused by too early removal Of baby teeth,
hereditary tendency, disease or sickness he
fore the teeth were formed, want Of exercise
to make the body grow, and diseased roots Of
the first set which push the second set out Of
position. In spite OF all these causes the an
noyance Of irregular teeth may he much
lesSened il parents will put child early under
the care Of competent dentist. He can
s'raighten the growing teeth with much less
trouble than later in life. And though the
operation may be tedious and somewhat pain
full, it is one for which children will be CRATE
full in after years.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Hard Mood Floors.

The beauty, cleanliness and healthfulness
Of hard wood floors have made them popular
with all thrifty housewives, and the growing
favor with which they are regarded has led
to many improvements in their construction.
Among drawbacks to the use of these floors
has been the readiness to show even moderate
wear, such US marks Of casters, nails in shoe
heels, etc. A remedy to this has been found
in using the end Of the wood instead of the side
for the surface Of the blocks, as it has long
been known that the fine wearing surface Of
wood is OH the end OF the grain.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
How to Enlarge Children's Dresses.

Mothers complain of not knowing how 70
enlarge girls dresses when they grow rapidly,
yet we think this cannot be so difficult q task
with the prevailing fashion Of open bodices
with colored plastron Of another material.
Pleated plastrons are often carried to the
waist on pointed bodices, and an answering
trimming added to the front of the skirt, or
the fronts of a bodice that is too narrow may
be turned back above, lined with a different
hue, and gagged stripe set on from the re-
vers to the waist; these, however, should be
edged with the material of which the skirt is
composed to give q tasteful effect. A tucked
chemisette of muslin, tulle or etamine in
white or cream should finish off such dress
The back and front Of a yoke grown too
small may be enlarged by setting in four
stripes Of any pretty material, one down the
front, q seccld and third round the arm holes
and the fourth down the back.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
ALL AROUND The HOUSE.
Suggestions About Hard Wood Floors.
How to Serve Fashionable Dinner.

Suggestions About Hard Wood Floors.
How to Serve u Fashionable Dinner.
Increasing care and elaborateness In the
serving Of meals marks the American house
hold Of today, and many styles Of dishes and
plates are thus brought into requistion.
Formerly the whole dinner set was alike In
shape and decoration, and meats and other
dishes were served entire upon the table. A
fashionable dinner Is now served In courses
with separate design and style Of plate for
each course, tue decoration being usually sug-
gestive OF the course to loo served. No dishes
are set upon the table The carving is done
by the butler and the dishes served direct to
the guests.
The order in serving dinner Of courses is
usually as follows:
Oysters, soups, fish, entree, roast, game,
salad, dessert, cream, coffee. Oysters are
served on plates for the purpose. Five oysters
is the usual number. Soup is served in deep
plate resting upon fiat plate, both Of which
are served and removed together Fish plates
are beautifully decorated with suggestive
designs Of different species Of fish, coral,
marine plants, etc. ; n small crescent shaped
plate for the fish bones accompanies these.
The entree plate is small and highly decor
ated. For the roast the plate is OF largest
size and fiat. PLAGUE shaped plates are
much used for the dessert Ice cream is
served in cut glass dishes.
Heavy cut glass now represents the most
elegant OF fine glass for the table and is used
for variety OF pieces, including the salad
bowls, individual pepper and salts, bonbon
dishes in odd shapes Of leaves, crescents, ETC.,
as we'll as finger bowls, decanters and wine
glasses In fact the glass is quite as import
ant an item in the artistically decorated table
rs the china
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15

The bridal gown shown in the first cut Is
Of pearl white soft repped silk trimmed with
white lace and MORE sash. The front of the
skirt is laid in wide side pleatS, and nearly
covered by deep lace apron, which is draped
by pleats on the left side; the train Is plain
and very full The long pointed corsage is
cut square at the top, and opens over q lace
plastron gathered above and pleated to a
sharp point below; the elbow sleeves are also
cut Off square near the top, and filled in with
lace which falls in a pleated frill below. The
collar is made Of rows of pearls The sash of
MORE ribbon is folded to follow the outlines
of the pointed corsage, and falls in loops and
fringed ends on the left side. A cluster Of
Grange blossoms is low OH the left Of the waist,
and similar flowers are placed in the folds Of
the tulle veil, which Is long, full, with plain
unhemmed edges, and is arranged 20 leave
the face uncovered. White undressed kid
gloves, white stockings, and white satin
shoes with lace rosettes. Bouquet of orange
blossoms.
Bridesmaids dresses are fashionably made
of MORE with brocaded stripes and lace
When there are number of bridesmaids each
pair wears a different color. These dresses
are made with a short bouifant SKIRT lace
Aounces and long pointed waist, with POM
padour square neck and elbow sleeves; q
small hat of lace and q basket OF flowers car
ried in the hand complete these Dresden china
toilets. White MORE basques with lace skirts
and MORE sashes will also he worn by brides
maids. A group Of six bridesmaids have
chosen Suede colored China silk for three
dresses and heliotrope silk for the other three.
Pretty dresses of white nuns yelling with full
vests of Alencon lace have revers of white
moire and rloire straps fastened by gold
buckles; with these are stringless bonnets Of
lace, with gold quilts thrust through a large
bow Of white MORE ribbon: the bouquets are
of blush roses and maidenhair ferns. A pretty
and simple dress for maid Of honor, or for
several bridesmaids, is of white satin surah,
with very full short skirt, shirred at the top
and not trimmed otherwise. The full gath
cred waist has a sash Of white MORE ribbon
tied behind, and the bouquet worn in the cor.
sage is Of yellow roses. A short tulle veil
falls just below the waist. Bridesmaids wear
tan colored Suede gloves, with slippers Of the
same tan kid and stockings to match; these
complete dresses Of any color as we'll as white
toilets
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15

Peaches and pears for brandying should be
peeled and plums pricked to prevent burst
ing Make syrup with threefourths Of a
pound or pound of sugar, as is preferred,
to pound of fruit, using small cupful Of
water to a pound of sugar. Let the syrup
come to boil, put the fruit in and boil five
minutes Remove the fruit carefully and let
the syrup boil fifteen minutes longer, or until
it thickens we'll; add one pint Of brandy to
four pounds of fruit and take the kettle from
the fire. Pour the hot syrup over the fruit
and seal
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Brown Sauce.

Brown sauce is an important source Of
SAVIOR in the cooking Of the cheaper meats,
and is greatly relished by all children and
many grown people, with potatoes, rice and
and the like. Now, brown sauce is. in COM
mon parlance, q good, brown gravy. A little
meat dripping and a little butter are placed
over the fire, some flower is stirred in and
Drowned, after which is poured on, little at
time, enough boiling water to make the
gravy, which is boiled and seasoned with salt
and pepper
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Anger as an Agency OF Disease.

Anger, or violent or ungovernnble temper,
as it is sometimes expressed, holds, according
to the reports Of different lunatc asylums
both in Europe and America, q prominent
place among causes Of insanity. In diseases
Of the heart anger is potent agency Of evil.
II death does not occur from a sudden, intense
shock, the organ is enfeebled by every fit Of
passion. In persons of a plethoric habit and
given to excuses in eating, and those in
whom the coats of the blood vessels OF the
brain have been weakened by degenerative
changes, anger increases the danger OF apo
plexy. Among other diseases liable to follow
immoderate anger may be mentioned paraly-
sis, epilepsy and hysteria.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Apple Pickles.

Peel enough apples to fill a jar Of any size
you may choose and preparing by tho fol-
lowing receipt enough vinegar to cover
them, pour it over the apples boiling hot and
repeat this three days in succession. II the
apples are not clear and tender by that time,
turn the whole jarful into bell metal kettle,
and boil until the fruit is sufficiently soft to
be readily pierced by n straw. To seven
pounds of fruit, which will about fill gallon
jar, put three pounds of brown sugar, one
quart of good cider vinegar, a tablespoonful
of celery seed, a tablespoonful Of powdered
cinnamon and half dozen whole cloveS
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
END WOOD DESIGN FOR A FLOOR.

An end wood design for square room, re-
produced from Decorator and Furnisher, is
shown in the cut Hard wood floors are in
use in the finest class Of houses, and continued
trial only makes their advantages more man
ifest. Besides their durability, hard wood
floors, especially those Of end construction,
have beauty Of color and grain which re-
commends them to the eye, and when used in
conjunction with plenitude of rich and
heavy rugs they go far towards filling the re-
quirements Of a perfect floor.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15

For an excellent pickle Of green tomatoes
cut peck of tomatoes in thin slices, sprinkle
with salt, using about two teacupfuls, and
let stand two days; then drain off the brine,
slice dozen onions thin and mix together
fourth of pound each OF mustard and mus
tard seed, and an ounce each of ground
cloves, alspice and pepper Put the toma-
toes, onions and spices into the preserving
kettle, in layers, and cover with good vine
gar Boil slowly half an hour or until the
tomato looks clear.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
PHYSIOLOGY AND HYGIENE.
Violent Temper An Agency % Disease.
The Cigarette Eye"


medical correspondent OF dairy news-
paper gives hint to families returning home
to houses that have been practically uninhab-
tied during long vacation. He has seen, he
snys, more than one outbreak OF sore throat
occasioned, in his belief, by families coming
home to inhae air that has crept into the
house through drain traps from which the
water has evaporated He recommends that
upon entering the house after 1t has been
wholly or in part shut up windows and doors
should lie thrown open and water taps turned
on Another writer adds caution as to the
water cstern. After stagnating for n month
or six weeks the water in the cistern and in
the leaden pipes is wholly unfit for use and
should always lie drawn Off. A draught OF
cistern water and an hour or two's inhalation
OF polluted air from disused drains may neu.
traliso all the good Of the summer holidays
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
BRIDESMAIDS DRESS.

The bridesmaids dress represented in the
cut is of white Bengaline and Valenci-
ennes lace. The skirt is trimmed with
lace, ruche Of pinked MORE around
the foot and sash Of MORE ribbon.
The long wasted bodice is made high
about the neck and has full lace vest
with revers on each side and bow Of MORE
ribbon on the top. The short tulle veil Is
fastened by cluster Of white flowers. Long
gloves and slippers Of tan colored undressed
kid, with silk stockings Of the same shade.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Practice OF Medicine In Minnesota.

Under n law recently passed in the Min
nesota legislature the restrictions placed upon
the practice Of medicine i'll that state will be
more severe than in any other part OF the
United States. All persons who wish 70 prac-
tice medicine must pass an examination he.
fore board of nine persons irrespective OF
whether they hold regular diplomas or not,
and only those who have taken three courses
OF medical lectures will be permitted to the
examination.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
WHAT SHALL WE WEAR?
ENLARGlNG DRESSES FOR FAST
GROWING CHILDREN.

New York Fashions for Autumn We'd
dings-Full Descriptions. with niustrs.
tions, for Making Brides Toilette
and Bridesmaids' Dresses.
The cuts presented in this issue represent
New York fashions for autumn weddings as
illustrated and described by Harper's Bazaar.
Ivory white satin, faille franchise MORE an
tique and soft repped silks are the fabrics Of
rich wedding gowns prepared for this season.
Their trimmings in some instances is lace In
founces Of round point or in wide breadths
of valenciennes or of embroidered lisse broad
enough to drape the entire front Of the skirt.
White satin with lace flounces and garniture
Of lilies of the valley with orange blossoms Is
the typical gown for bride whose maids will
wear pink rose tulle, making the tableau at
the altar white and rose instead Of the white
and gold groups seen last year.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
OCTOPUS AND CRAB.

NJ. Parizc considers that autotomy is large
ly voluntary act and that the animal de-
liberately sacrifices his limb to escape from
his enemy, agreeing upon this point with
Professor Huxley; but NJ. FREDERICK, on the
contrary, thinks that it is reflex phenom-
enon, caused by the irritation of the limb,
just as we instinctively close our eyes when a
grain Of sand is blown into them or start at a
sudden noise.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15

The following formula for mixture which
can be used for metal, glass or wood, is given
in Revue Photographers: Gum tragacanth,
30grammes; acacia gum, 100 grammes water,
500 c. c. Dissolve, filter and add PIX grammes
of thymo suspended in 100 C, C. of glycerine;
then add enough water to make up the bulk
to liter This bath will keep a long time.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
A New Malady Among Smokers,

A malady Of recent appearance among
smokers has been dubbed the Cigarette eye
According to an oculist, the best authorities
were for time at loss in understanding
this disease, but have at length decided that
its origin lies in the cigarette. The symp
toms are dimness and n lilm-like gathering
over the eye, which appears and disappears
at intervals, and is not relieved by spectacles.
Only long course Of treatment cures this
dangerous trouble.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Two Points In Preserving.

Fruit that is to be preserved may be kept
from turning a dark color by dropping it
into cold water as fast as peeled.
Never let metal touch fruit and handle it
as little as possible, Is the rule Of an author
ity in all sorts Of fruit preserving
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15

An easy way of keeping plums that are
firm and not over ripe is to cut out the stones,
drain on cheese cloth and pack in dry sugar.
Put a two inch layer of sugar in the jar, then
one layer Of plums; cover an inch deep with
sugar, then another layer of plums, and so on
till the jar is filled, the top being sugar.
Cover with cloth and a stone lid for week
or more and fill up with sugar as the fruit
shrinks. Susan Power, who is authority for
the above, says the fruit keeps remarkably.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Trar{uU Trichiun In Pork.

The best mode Of tracing or finding trichi-
nae in pork by means Of a microscope, says
Scientific American, is as follows: Cut u very
thin longitudinal slice Of the muscle by means
of very sharp knife or razor. Press it be-
tween two glass slips, and examine by trans
United light. The coiled trichin@ may be
readily distinguished from the muscle fiber.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
The Best Exercise for Brain Workers.

A ride on horseback is probably the best
form Of exercise for those whose minds are
constantly at work. 1t has been we'll said
that a man must come out of himself when in
the saddle; he is forced to attend to his horse
and to notice the objects he meets Walking
may he but merely automatic process and
affords little if any relief to the mind, and
carriage exercise may be practically valueless
if the mind is not diverted from what had
previously occupied it.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Chocolate Caramely,

Two cupfuls of New Orleans molasses, two
cupfuls Of coffee sugar, one cupful of milk,
butter the size Of an egg, one large cupful of
grated chocolate, to be stirred in when the
mixture thickens. Flavor with vanilla. Pour
on buttered tins and when nearly cool mark
off into squares.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
Delicately Expressed.

no finer thought was ever penned tina
that Knowles put into the mouth Of Vii
ginius. Correctly quoted. it reads:
hear q voice so soft that nothing comes
Twixt IL and silence.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
IntroductiOns.

Ladies' Of social equality are introduced to
each other, and so also are gentlemen. The
latter, however, are always presented to la
dies The distinction is delicate homage TO
womankind.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-15
To Write on Glass.

An ink that will write on glass can be mad
from ammonium iluoride dissolved in waite
and mixed with three times its weight Of ba
rum sulphate.